ICE AGE BIRCH KEEPS ITS COOL

A colony of "dwarf birch" (betula nana), a species which thrived just after
the Ice Age, has been found stubbornly clinging on to 800 square metres of
Spaedadam Forest, near Brampton, close to the county border. It is only the
third ever English siting of the diminutive plant, which is more at home in
the tundra than the northern uplands.

The chance discovery was made by Bill Burlton, from the Forestry
Commission's Kielder Forest District, during routine conservation work.

"It's amazing to find such a rare tree and I was absolutely stunned when I
spotted it," said Bill. "Dwarf birch is still found in the Highlands, but
it's almost extinct in England and never before seen in Cumbria.
Fortunately it's located in an existing Site of Special Scientific Interest
so the area has been managed carefully and not grazed by sheep. We'll be
keeping a close eye on its progress."

Although classified as a tree, the stunted plant is more bush-like and has
escaped identification despite numerous botanical surveys. The leaves are
perfect miniatures of a fully grown birch, but specially evolved to survive
harsh climates.

Dwarf birch became established at the end of the Ice Age about 10,000 years
ago when the glaciers retreated and the climate was much cooler than today.
As the temperature climbed it pushed further north leaving just a few
precious pockets south of the Scottish mountains.

The find has been notified to English Nature and placed on the Cumbrian
county record for rare and unusual flora.

ENDS


Media calls to Bill Burlton on 01434 220242